Kpouch failure isn't that common. I don't know how you can get a number since many places do them. You would have to ask every surgeon that has done them personally and go off of that.

I empty my pouch 3-4 times a day. Twice a day if I am super busy. Longest someone can go is 4 days, that is not advised but lately my doctors have seen people go that long due other reasons.

I never forget a tube. Be prepared! Leave one in your car, at your girlfriend's or boyfriend's house, parents, work, etc. If you do forget and you are in an emergency you can just walk into an ER or medical supply store and get one or a foley that is 30french in size. I have never leaked. Longest I have personally gone is 12 hours. Gas makes it uncomfy but never have leaked (I have a BCIR).

Draining depends on my output. Can take me 5 minutes or 15 minutes each time.

The 20-30+% failure rate was long ago, when ileoanal anastomosis became more common. Improvements in both procedures, and patient selection, have improved long term success rates for both over time.

The more recent data indicates a failure rate more like 10-15%. But, it varies from center to center.

Interestingly enough, the overall satisfaction rates are similar between j-pouch, continent ileostomy, and end ileostomy. This tells me that all are satisfactory options, and all have their caveats.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3400848/

Jan

Hi,
I am one of the k pouch oldies here and have probably had the most complications and k pouch surgeries of all...not bragging here, just explaining that I do love my k pouch, have fought tooth and nail to keep it and have needed a lot of surgical assistance to do so...that said and this is speaking about an imperfect k pouch...
I intubate about 8 xs/day...when I get up/go to bed, before and after every meal and if needed at about 3-4 hr intervals throughout the day...good days I can go from 4-8hrs without, bad days not...I am responsible for those good/bad days because of what I eat...I eat tons of fresh and steamed veggies and the fibers can cause the processes of emptying the pouch to be longer (3-10 mins) because the fiberous chunks need to be removed to unobstruct the tube...I do not even think about it when doing it, it is second nature now and automatic.
I eat practically everything, go everywhere and do a lot of physical activities, sports etc so I have proved that there are few limits (I go mountain climbing, scuba diving, tons of foreign travel to not so modern countries etc)...But k pouch do have restrictions and limitis especially the 1st yr...you need to intubate regularly and eat good, pouch friendly foods for the 1st while (protiens like chicken, fish, meats, little dairy, limited fiberous foods...)and not overdo the exercise or efforts until fully healed (about 1 year)...intubation is a snap once you are used to it and if you follow the rules you can train your pouch into needing about 3-5 intubations daily...(usually under 5 mins each)...
Some k pouch surgeons are good, others great so shop around but even the great ones are starting with a sick patient who has had a disease and has different healing patterns, processes and needs, so beware, extra careful and be very, very patient with your surgeon and his requirements of you.
ps, I have never volentarily gone over 10hrs without intubating but it can happen...it causes the valve to shut tight from the internal pressure and makes it more difficult to put the tube in which can cause damage so it is not encouraged...I keep kits (tube, lube, syringe, stoma cover) everywhere in my life...purses, bathroom, car etc and 3 whenever I travel tucked into different places, just in case.
Sharon

Just to comment. Today was the first time I left my tube at home. I wasn't far, just at work but didn't have time to metro home. So I went about 20 hours and was ok just gurgling in a meeting.